The Russia-Ukraine war decreases food affordability but could reduce global greenhouse gas emissions

Autor: Hans van Meijl, Heleen Bartelings, Siemen van Berkum, Hao David Cui, Zuzana Smeets Kristkova, Willem Jan van Zeist
Jazyk: angličtina
Rok vydání: 2024
Předmět:
Zdroj: Communications Earth & Environment, Vol 5, Iss 1, Pp 1-12 (2024)
Druh dokumentu: article
ISSN: 2662-4435
DOI: 10.1038/s43247-024-01208-x
Popis: Abstract The Russian invasion of Ukraine has the potential to exacerbate food insecurity around the world, as both countries are major exporters of grains and other agricultural products. In this model-based scenario study, medium-term effects of the war are quantified on agricultural production, trade flows, market prices, food security, land use, and greenhouse gas emissions. The scenarios assess the possible consequences of macro-economic and agricultural production impacts in Ukraine, trade sanctions against Russia, and conflict-related energy price developments for global trade, food security, and greenhouse gas emissions. From a food security perspective, we conclude that there is enough food on the global level, but higher food and energy prices cause problems for low-income populations, spending a large part of their income on staple foods. Agricultural production and area expansion in parts of the world other than Ukraine and Russia could pose a risk to biodiversity and lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions related to land. However, total greenhouse gas emissions might decrease as lower emissions from less use of fossil energy due to higher energy and fertilizer prices in the whole economy dominate additional emissions resulting from land use change.
Databáze: Directory of Open Access Journals